RAK FTZ (Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority) was formed by an Emiri decree on 1 May 2000, the result of an initiative on the part of His Highness Sheikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Finance Department, to set up the
emirate’s first free trade zone.
Since its establishment in 2000, Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) has been one of the fastest-growing free trade zones in the UAE
and is home to more than 4,000 active business organizations.
Sheikh Faisal specified a number of objectives for Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade
Zone Authority: encourage investment by reducing red tape and legal restrictions; provide excellent customer-focused solutions; deliver simple and effective systems and procedures; and attract, retain and develop a highly qualified multi-cultural workforce capable of supporting the
organisation’s goals and operations.
Ensuring that the essential services and infrastructure were in place to support business, industrial and community growth was of paramount importance to the success of this plan, as was developing a unique approach or selling point
” a multiple park system ” that would set the free zone apart. The free zone established itself across Ras Al Khaimah at various specialised sites
” the aim being to provide separate environments that would suit the needs of different types of investors
and industries.
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority also has business and promotion centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, to cater to the needs of existing and potential clients based in those cities, and international liaison offices (in Germany, Turkey, India, and the United States), to support its international marketing activities and provide certain customer services.
With transparent and investment friendly laws and regulations, lack of restrictions on profit and capital repatriation, a strategic location not far from
Dubai’s business and financial centres, proximity to international airports and seaports and considerably lower costs of living in RAK compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi all working in its favour,
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority has been successful in attracting investors and entrepreneurs looking for cost-effective, hassle-free and secure options for setting up a business in the UAE.
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority continues to improve its products and services and strengthen its positioning as a business hub geared at helping SMEs connect to emerging economies. Today, it is one of the fastest growing and most cost-effective free trade zones in the UAE, home to more than 5,000 active companies from 106 countries around the globe. Its reputation for affordability, flexibility and broad geographical reach has served it well, and it is rapidly emerging as the preferred business hub in the region, from which investors of all industries and origins can easily access and expand into key emerging markets
” proving that it is, indeed, what its slogan states ” The Home
of Business.
RECOGNITION AND COMMENDATIONS
RAK Free Trade Zone’s accomplishments have been recognised by a number of well-respected international business organisations.
In 2009, Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority was voted the Best Emerging Free Zone’ for the third consecutive year by the Middle East Logistics Awards (MELA) and received the
“Industrial Area of the Year
Award’ at the Supply Chain and Transport Awards (SCATA), while its evolving website was named
“Best
Website” at the 9th World Free Zone Convention (WFZC).
The free zone and its employees also received several commendations at the Sheikh Saqr Programme for Government Excellence Awards, while its INJAZ Training Center earned the International Federation of Training and Development Organisations (IFTDO) Certificate of Merit for Global HRD Award 2010.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)
As one of the leading organisations in Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah Free
Trade Zone Authority firmly believes that it has a great responsibility to the community that goes beyond its economic contributions. The free zone is committed to doing everything it can to contribute to the generation of new jobs, the growth of the economy and the preservation of the environment.
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority demonstrates this commitment by promoting, supporting, organising and participating in activities that nurture a community spirit, promote a healthier lifestyle or aim at preserving the
emirate’s natural environment. This includes support for public interest events organised by government entities, as well as involvement in or spearheading of a variety of other initiatives that contribute to the growth and well being of the local community, such as the Ras Al Khaimah Press Club; environmental preservation campaigns; and economic activities that reflect its dedication to the betterment of society.
Whether it is spreading awareness about the Eid Carnival hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Community Development, putting on a great show of culture, food, and entertainment for UAE National Day, or sponsoring athletic competitions such as the Ramadan Bowling Championship organised by the Naturalisation and Residence Department or staff participation in the RAK Half Marathon and Terry Fox Run,
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority does its utmost to support enriching social activities that spread team spirit and enhance community ties.
Perhaps the most important of the community services performed by Ras Al
Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority, however, is raising awareness about preserving and protecting the environment. When it comes to addressing environmental concerns,
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority is a leader among Ras Al Khaimah Government organisations and takes pride in its reputation as an environment-friendly’ free zone. The free zone takes its duty to care for our environment, very seriously, and was the first government organisation in RAK to implement an Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) programme that promotes recycling as well as energy and water conservation and designed to ensure that its staff and clients adhere to NEBOSH & ISO 14001 standards and observe Federal Environmental Protection Law (No.24 1999).
An active participant in many nationwide environmental campaigns, Ras Al
Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority has thrown its full weight behind the annual Clean Up UAE event and sponsored Desert Environment Protection Campaign, organised by the UAE Hobbies Club and supported by the Ministry of Environment and Water,
While Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority does not license companies with activities that are deemed environmentally harmful or destructive, it greatly encourages investment from businesses that deal in green’ solutions of different kinds, and it is now home to many companies that share its commitment to the environment and specialise in green
business’, such as natural wastewater treatment, solar energy and environmental impact consultation.
FUTURE PLANS
Over the next decade, Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority will focus on three broad areas: enhancing Ras Al
Khaimah’s infrastructure, diversifying and expanding the foreign investment base and providing more career opportunities and jobs.
In terms of infrastructure, the free zone’s projected multibillion-dollar development programme will include investment in power generation, roads, ports, the airport, hospitals, and schools. All of these initiatives will be accomplished while continuing to work to preserve the environment, rejecting investment from industries that are heavy polluters, and seeking out and attracting a new wave of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that cater to the renewable energy sector. The tourism sector will also be an area of focus and will receive a boost from an ambitious development that will include hotels, offices, commercial space and other facilities.
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority will actively pursue foreign investment from sources that have been successful in the past, while seeking funds from new markets and new sources in order to continue to aggressively grow and simultaneously diversify the investment base. SMEs will continue to form a strong base of client companies, and the free zone will target emerging markets such as Brazil, China, and South Korea in order to broaden the makeup of international investors. Finally,
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority will maintain its commitment to forming strategic partnerships with renowned entities around
the globe.
As Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority and its clients grow, career prospects are also improved in terms of new jobs and advancement opportunities. Creating opportunities for UAE nationals is of particular importance.
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority will accomplish this by coordinating with local universities to develop trainee and internship programmes, provide job and career advancement opportunities for talented young UAE Nationals, and bring more renowned universities and colleges to serve the educational needs of the
local community.
From enhancing the emirate’s infrastructure, to further investment in the education, technology and renewable energy sectors, and further promoting tourism in Ras Al Khaimah;
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority’s plans for the next decade underscore its commitment to not only upgrade conditions and offer greater opportunities for its clients, but also for the broader community of the emirate
as well.
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority SERVICES AND FACILITIES – THE GATEWAY TO THE MIDDLE EAST
With a dedicated, customer-focused team and a commitment to continuously improve products and services,
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority offers many aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners ideal solutions to enter the Middle East market.
LOCATIONS (PARKS)
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority has four unique parks that suit and serve different investor requirements. The four-park concept includes the Business Park, Industrial Park, Technology Park and Academy Zone offering offices and/or equipped warehouses and land facilities.
Situated in different locations across the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, each park caters to specific business interests and activities of
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority investors.
1. The Business Park
The Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority Business Park consists of five buildings ” Business Centre (BC) 1 to 4 and the Administration Building
” all clustered together within easy walking distance of each other. The Business Park is ideally situated in the heart of Ras Al
Khaimah’s business district, with convenient proximity to major government offices. Several shopping centres, hotels, restaurants and recreational facilities are all within minutes of
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority as well, ensuring that facilities and services not immediately available within the business park itself are only a few steps away. Additionally, two other office buildings, BC 5 and BC 6 are located within a short distance of the Business Park.
Hundreds of companies have already set up in the Business Park, and there are several present that provide a number of important business facilitation services to
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority clients, Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone
Authority is in the process of expanding the scope and variety of services available within the Business Park.
Types of Service Companies Already Present
- Courier
- Banks/ATMs
- Cafeteria
- Travel agency
- Car rental
- Post office
- Safety lockers (‘Vault Zone’)
- Flower shop
- Business centre
- INJAZ Training Center
- Travel and entertainment counter
- Real estate
- Taxi service
- Health/Fitness club
- Coffee shop
- Types of Services Soon to Come
- Restaurants
- IT shop
- Insurance company
- Spa
2. The Industrial Park
The Industrial Park is located along the Ras Al Khaimah coastal road approximately 18 kilometres north of Ras Al Khaimah and immediately adjacent to Hulaylah Island. The park is about 6 kilometres from Saqr Port, covering an area of 128 hectares. It is developed for heavy industries and warehousing, and incorporates energy supply. Plot sizes are provided to suit individual client requirements and are fully serviced with water, electricity and telecommunications. The
park’s facilities include onsite employee accommodation, Customs Office, Operation Supportive Services Centre and other administrative support and
service centres.
3. The Technology Park
Located south of Ras Al Khaimah, the Technology Park’s close proximity to Dubai via Emirates Road, as well as to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, is advantageous to investors. Covering an area of 100 hectares, it is located opposite Al Hamra Village and Resort, a five-star resort facility with an 18-hole golf course, in a rapidly expanding area devoted to light industries and automated manufacturing and capital-intensive quality lifestyle projects.
4. The Academy Zone (Education Park)
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority has established a dedicated facility where educational organisations can base themselves to offer academic programmes to the RAK and broader UAE communities. Educational organisations can either manage their operations at allocated building(s) or build their own campuses at an assigned location in Ras Al Khaimah. The main buildings (are located in the vicinity of the Business Park.
Business Licences
Every company operating within the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority is required to obtain a business licence. A business licence is a time-limited permit granted to a company to undertake commercial, consulting, service or industrial activities within
Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority. It does not, however, authorise the holder to do business in the UAE
” a special agent has to be appointed for trading activities in the UAE market.
Each licence is valid for one year starting from the date of issue and must be renewed annually.
- Licence Type
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Consultancy
- General Trading
Note: Special activities are subject to the approval of Ras Al Khaimah Free
Trade Zone Authority’s Management
Legal Entities
Any company or individual wishing to set up a business in Ras Al Khaimah Free
Trade Zone Authority can be registered as one of four legal entities:
- Free Zone Establishment (FZE) – An FZE is a new business entity with sole owner
- Free Zone Company (FZC) – An FZC is a new business entity with two to five partners
- Local Branch – A Local branch is branch of a domestic firm residing in the UAE, the parent firm of which has existed for more than one year
- Foreign Branch – A Foreign Branch is a branch of a foreign firm residing outside of the UAE, the parent company of which should have existed for more than one year.